Long-term shoot regeneration from pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana Schult.) through manipulation of growth regulators in vitro

Abstract

A regeneration system for ‘Pumila’ pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana Schult.) that yields plants over many months and allows control of morphogenesis was developed. Immature inflorescence explants cultured for three 4-week passages on MS basal medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 2,4-D and 8.9 μM BA yielded a dark green callus that organized into shoot primordia. Rate of shoot development was increased after transfer of shoot primordia to medium supplemented with 9.8 μM IBA. Subculture every 4–6 weeks onto medium containing IBA yielded a continuous production of shoots. Control of morphogenesis was achieved by transferring cultures to medium containing 4.5 μM 2,4-D and 8.9 μM BA for shoot bud proliferation and to medium containing IBA for shoot production.